HUMBOLDT — When Tyneal Welter joined Big Brothers Big Sisters in 2016, she was continuing something she had done for a good chunk of her life.
“When I moved away from home, I thought that I should just keep doing it, so joining the agency was the easiest thing to do to keep doing that,” she said.
Welter was one of four to receive an award at the Big Brothers Big Sisters gala on Sept. 19. She got the newly-renamed Tyler Bieber Mentor of the Year Award.
“Through her match with Aerionna, she has shown a high level of dedication, support and she has been an inspirational leader,” said Morgan Forster with BBBS. “Tyneal is always sharing ideas with Aerionna and they come up with new and fun things to do in their match together.”
Welter said she was happy to receive the award.
“Aerionna and I spend a lot of time together. She's such a good little sister and so she makes it easy to be a good mentor.”
Hannah Mulhern received the newly-renamed Brody Hinz Youth of the Year Award.
“For the last three years, Hannah has been inspiring and leading those around her to do more,” Forster said. “Hannah chooses to spend free time making a difference for others in our community. She works hard, she doesn't give up and she is very community-minded.”
Mulhern was one of the first Girl Scout Pathfinders in Humboldt and earned the Canada Cord, one of that organization's top honours. Once, she had a lemonade stand to raise money to purchase treat bags for those children that couldn’t go out on Halloween. After raising a substantial amount of money, they purchased books for the children at the children’s hospital as well.
The youth of the year said it was cool to be the first to receive the award with Hinz’s name connected to it.
“It was really cool because we're really close to Brody,” she said. “He’d always come talk hockey with us.”
Kelly Bauer was selected as Volunteer of the Year. Jodie Hergott with BBBS said Bauer has been diligently supporting their Diva for a Day golf tournament fundraiser for the past four years.
“Kelly starts campaigning and fundraising for our yearly event months in advance,” she said. “He not only gathers a substantial amount of pledges from friends and local businesses, he commits himself to the tournament for the whole day.”
Hergott said Bauer has raised close to $4,000 by himself over the past four years.
“I actually really appreciate all the work these ladies do,” Bauer said. “I give to the community and this is my way of showing it, is going through Big Brothers Big Sisters.”
Boston Pizza Humboldt won the Champion Award.
“Each year, the management and staff at Boston Pizza supports a variety of fundraising initiatives for our agency,” Hergott said. “Their consistent and constant willingness to be involved with various BBBS projects, emphasizes the depth of community caring that is clearly a core value of the Boston Pizza Humboldt management and staff.”
Shelby Lees accepted the award on behalf of Boston Pizza.
“It's a great organization to be a part of, and we really enjoy everything that they do for the community as well.”
